Over the past several months, global pop superstar Taylor Swift has been seen attending several Kansas City Chiefs games this season in support of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, whom she began dating this season. But that’s led to quite a conspiracy theory that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had to address this week.
Swift’s appearances at games have obviously caused a pretty massive surge in popularity for the NFL among Taylor Swift fans, leading some to suggest that the relationship between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce was scripted by the league. But Goodell insists that is not the case.
“I don’t think I’m that good of a scripter, or anybody on our staff,” Goodell said of the conspiracy theory. “Listen, there is no way that I could have scripted that one – let’s just put it that way. Or anybody in our office.”
Roger Goodell on the NFL's TV ratings and the impact of Taylor Swift.🏈📺 #SuperBowlLVIII pic.twitter.com/cIB7tbGTw9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 5, 2024
But that doesn’t mean the NFL isn’t happy to have the ratings boost that comes along with Swift’s fandom and appearances at games.
“Having the Taylor Swift effect is also a positive,” Goodell said. ” Listen, both Travis and Taylor are wonderful young people. They seem very happy. She knows great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football. But I think it’s great to have her a part of it
“Obviously, it creates a buzz, I think it creates another group of young fans – particularly young women – that are interested in seeing ‘Why is she going to this game? Why is she interested in this game?’ Besides Travis, she is a football fan. And I think that is great for us.”